nTrust Deliver Seamless IT Support for Hutton & Rostron
About the Client – Hutton & Rostron
Hutton & Rostron (H+R) are leading listed building surveyors and expert building scientists, known for their in-depth knowledge of building pathology, conservation, and heritage consultancy.
Their multidisciplinary team includes chartered surveyors, architects, and scientists with decades of experience working on historic and listed buildings across the UK. From timber decay and damp investigations to complex restoration and conservation planning, H+R are trusted by property owners, developers, architects, and heritage organisations to deliver insightful, reliable solutions.
The Problems Hutton & Rostron Were Facing
When Hutton & Rostron first engaged nTrust, they were navigating several IT challenges typical of a growing, specialist consultancy:
- Limited collaboration and tool integration due to reliance on Google Workspace.
- Network reliability issues, especially impacting remote and onsite project teams.
- Rising cyber security risks, particularly concerning sensitive client data and compliance with heritage and insurance standards.
- A need for scalable IT infrastructure to support growth, new projects, and a distributed team.
- Concerns flagged in a previous IT audit by Bailey & Associates that required urgent action.
The Solution nTrust Provided
nTrust proposed and delivered a complete IT transformation plan, taking full responsibility for H+R’s IT operations. Key elements included:
- Migration from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365:
- Introduced Microsoft Teams as a central hub for meetings, chats, and file sharing.
- Moved data to SharePoint and OneDrive, enabling secure version control and centralised document management.
- Implemented GFI Archiving to ensure robust email backups and regulatory compliance.
- Network Infrastructure Upgrade:
- Improved reliability and performance for office and remote staff.
- Deployed patching, monitoring, and proactive network maintenance to reduce downtime and mitigate cyber risks.
- Enhanced Cyber Security:
- Guided H+R through Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
- Introduced phishing simulations and cyber awareness training.
- Strengthened client trust by ensuring compliance with GDPR and heritage-sector requirements.
“Cyber Essentials Plus was a contractual requirement for some of our clients, particularly those with highly sensitive projects. Beyond that, it gave our leadership team peace of mind that we were running a secure and well-managed IT environment.” – Andy Travers, Managing Director
- Strategic IT Partnership:
- Delivered ongoing consultancy and support through a dedicated UK-based support team.
- Assigned a named account manager and project engineer for consistent communication and strategic planning.
- Enabled a seamless transition during H+R’s acquisition by SOCOTEC, with support from nTrust’s IT Project Engineer, Charlie Swainston.
Why Hutton & Rostron Chose nTrust
The relationship between nTrust and H+R began even before contracts were signed. Late on a Friday, Tim Hutton called with a critical server failure. Despite not yet being a client, nTrust responded immediately, working remotely, then sending two engineers to Netley House that evening. Their above-and-beyond support set the tone for a trusted, long-term partnership.
In addition, Hutton & Rostron selected nTrust for several key reasons:
- A strong track record with professional services and compliance-driven environments.
- Tailored solutions that aligned with their growth plans and regulatory responsibilities.
- A consultative, partnership-led approach that prioritised understanding their specific business needs.
- Recommendations from other satisfied clients and a 97% client retention rate.
The Experience Working with nTrust
The collaboration has been described as smooth, proactive, and highly responsive:
“They’re a highly responsive and reliable partner. Communication is excellent, and their support team has always delivered consistently high standards.” – Andy Travers, H+R
- Migration projects were completed with minimal disruption.
- The support desk, led by Dean Kellham and Sam Morse, has delivered quick, knowledgeable assistance.
- Regular account management meetings provide transparency and space for future planning.
- H+R view nTrust not just as an IT supplier, but as a trusted advisor integral to their business continuity and security.
One of the hallmarks of nTrust’s service is our commitment to visibility and relationship-building. Early on, the team established regular on-site visits, ensuring we could identify issues quickly, provide hands-on support, and build trust with H+R’s staff. This was particularly valuable for the Mottram-based team, who appreciated feeling seen, supported, and included in the broader IT strategy.
Strategic Gains from this IT Partnership with nTrust
With nTrust’s support, H+R have:
- Achieved Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, setting them apart from competitors.
“They delivered our Cyber Essentials Plus certification on a very tight timescale, which was hugely impressive.” – Andy Travers
- Improved team collaboration and document control via Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.
- Reduced cyber security risks and met compliance expectations with confidence.
- Safeguarded their reputation and operations, especially during the transition to becoming part of the SOCOTEC Group.
“During our business acquisition and integration, they remained professional, collaborative, and supportive throughout. Their willingness to engage constructively with other IT teams made the transition smooth and effective.” – Andy Travers
- Focussed fully on their core mission, preserving and restoring historic buildings, without IT headaches.
- Maintained professional hosting and backups of servers and leased lines, which have all been reliably managed.
